Running in Arizona

j1mboSlice
j1mboSlice Posts: 1 Member
edited November 19 in Fitness and Exercise
Anyone know what the safest max temp is for running? I live in Tucson, AZ and usually run two times a week. The other day it was 110 at 7pm, after I got back I felt like I was gonna pass out. I drink plenty of water.

Replies

  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    It's going to depend on the individual and how acclimated they are to heat.
  • amysteri
    amysteri Posts: 197 Member
    I'm in Texas... it gets up to 90 F nowadays ...and that's really hot for me already. But with Hurricane Cindy the temp dropped to the 80's... 110 F sounds too high, I'd be worried about a heat stroke and passing out in a wooded trail during a run. I say keep workout indoors with those high temps you have in Arizona.

    We do get 100 F temp here in Texas but the Hurricane kinda threw off the temp a bit. So it's a bit cooler for now.

    According to Road Runner's Club of America one should "Avoid running outside if the heat is above 98.6 F" you can read it here: http://www.rrca.org/education/hot-weather-running-tips
  • AScubaMom
    AScubaMom Posts: 1 Member
    City of Phoenix has banned dogs on their trails if it is over 100 degrees. I would think if it is too hot for an animal, that would be my limit as well.
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    j1mboSlice wrote: »
    Anyone know what the safest max temp is for running? I live in Tucson, AZ and usually run two times a week. The other day it was 110 at 7pm, after I got back I felt like I was gonna pass out. I drink plenty of water.

    There's only bad clothing, not bad weather.

    I used to live in Tucson and Sacramento. I'd never run during the summer if the sun is out. Water, head coverage, get away from the heat island - run far away from asphalt and avoid concrete.
    Some people will put a wet sponge or cloth under their hat and refresh it at water stops.
    Wet running hats. I've got a beanie that goes under my bike helmet built for that exact job.
  • Packerjohn
    Packerjohn Posts: 4,855 Member
    amysteri wrote: »
    I'm in Texas... it gets up to 90 F nowadays ...and that's really hot for me already. But with Hurricane Cindy the temp dropped to the 80's... 110 F sounds too high, I'd be worried about a heat stroke and passing out in a wooded trail during a run. I say keep workout indoors with those high temps you have in Arizona.

    We do get 100 F temp here in Texas but the Hurricane kinda threw off the temp a bit. So it's a bit cooler for now.

    According to Road Runner's Club of America one should "Avoid running outside if the heat is above 98.6 F" you can read it here: http://www.rrca.org/education/hot-weather-running-tips

    Missed quoting part of the advice.

    Avoid running outside if the heat is above 98.6 degrees and the humidity is above 70-80%

    Believe humidity above 70-80% is very unusual in most parts of AZ. That being said, acclimation is the key. Gradually extend your time in the heat, even just sitting around. Slowly increase exercise intensity, stop as soon as you don't "feel" right.

    In the US today people go from an air conditioned house to an air conditioned car, to an air conditioned workplace for 23 hours a day and expect to run for an hour in the heat. Not going to happen, need to work up to it.
  • DebLaBounty
    DebLaBounty Posts: 1,169 Member
    Can you run early in the morning before the day heats up? That's the adjustment I had to make when I was in Palm Springs in the summer for a week.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I live in New Mexico and we have been breaking 100* pretty regularly already this summer. Personally, I don't ride if it's over 95*...don't really know about the safety aspect, I just know that I hate it and I'm miserable. In the summer, most of my rides are done in the AM before it gets too hot...otherwise I get on my indoor trainer with a fan blasting.
  • twinmom_112002
    twinmom_112002 Posts: 739 Member
    It takes at least 14 days to acclimate to the summer heat. Take it slow, hydrate with electrolytes and watch for signs of heat illness. Expect to be slower.
  • girl_inflames
    girl_inflames Posts: 374 Member
    I live in Phoenix and I won't hike above 98 F. I don't run, but I imagine I wouldn't run beyond that temp either. I'm originally from the Midwest though and I've only lived out here ~3 years so my acclimation to the heat could be different than yours.
  • jenilla1
    jenilla1 Posts: 11,118 Member
    I don't run if it's above the mid-80's, but maybe I'm just a weakling. Where I live it routinely gets into the upper 90's - low 100's for most of the summer, but it cools off at night, so I can run in the early morning before it turns into a blast furnace again. I actually really like the heat - but more for lounging in the shade in a hammock, not so much for activity. Not sure how people can even run in the 90's and above. I'd be afraid of becoming sick, passing out and/or dying. Serious. I just go for hikes when it's like that. B)
  • jseams1234
    jseams1234 Posts: 1,219 Member
    edited June 2017
    I'm from Arizona - lived there most of my life.

    Run at night or early in the morning or risk becoming a crispy critter. lol
  • Penthesilea514
    Penthesilea514 Posts: 1,189 Member
    I don't live in Arizona but I have suffered from heat stroke in the past- not fun, don't recommend. I am way more careful about working out in the heat and humidity (it gets so *kitten* humid where I live). I only workout in the mornings during the summer unless it is in a pool.
  • RunsOnEspresso
    RunsOnEspresso Posts: 3,218 Member
    4 am and 8 pm are the only times I would go out in Phoenix. Take water. Run slower than usual. I usual skip the last 2 weeks of June. Most of my training has started July/August.
  • cecekay19
    cecekay19 Posts: 89 Member
    Sad to say but you will need to get up super early in the morning, like 4 or 5 am, to run. It may still be 90 degrees out at that time but with proper hydration, it can be done. When I was in the Army and it was 90 at 5am, we still ran. Now I'm a wuss and I don't like running when it's in the 80s, ha. Run before the sun is high. Drink water the day and night before, and some in the morning before you go.
  • erienneb66
    erienneb66 Posts: 88 Member
    So I visited AZ in March, I'm from Chicagoland and not used to heat at all.

    Hiking in the 90 degree days was....terrible. I drank so much water. But, I bet because you are more fit and more used to the climate, you can handle better heat. So use sunblock, drink so much water, avoid too much direct sunlight, and do what you feel like you gotta do.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    NOAA has suggestions regarding heat index
    http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/heat_index.shtml
  • MamaMollyT
    MamaMollyT Posts: 197 Member
    I lived in 29 Palms, CA and Yuma, AZ. I and many others ran all summer and even sometimes during the mid day heat. However, we were Marines and we trained in it daily. So it's possible but if you are new to it you need to slow down, listen to your body and not focus on speed and distance too much at first. If you are going to do it do it frequently to acclimatize. Or else go to gym and treadmill or hit the pool for some water running. No shame in that either. It's hot!! Take note that once you suffer a heat injury you will always be more prone. Look up a chart of the symptoms of heat sickness and heat exhaustion and make sure if you start displaying symptoms you STOP and find shade and water and cool off.
  • eisterunicorn
    eisterunicorn Posts: 158 Member
    Hey I live in Tucson too!!:) I haven't been cycling because of the heat.... when I feel like running I go run on the apartment fitness center treadmill and if I wanna cycle I go early in the am.
    But it is just too darn hot for anything during the day lol
  • kxbrown27
    kxbrown27 Posts: 769 Member
    I'm in Phoenix and I have a slew of 5k races scheduled this summer. I ran one this morning in Gilbert and it was about 85 at gun time. Wasn't bad at all but we'll see what happens in July and August when it's 100 at 6:30 am. Stay hydrated during the week, not just the days you run, and keep an easy pace. You may even see your times go down come October when we see normal operating temperatures.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories